Future Legal Leaders 2026

In a year marked by both opportunity and risk, India Business Law Journal applauds the efforts of the proven and accomplished legal stars tipped to move into key strategic leadership roles in the profession. By Katherine Abraham

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s India reshapes and expands its legal horizon by opening up to foreign firms, creating new legislation and refining the old with a focus on a “business-first” model, this edition of India Business Law Journal celebrates the seasoned and accomplished lawyers who are poised to usher in a new era of law, in letter and spirit.

Identified through a rigorous selection process that took in the nominations and endorsements of thousands of clients and peers, as well as meticulous research by our editorial team and inputs from our editorial board, this year’s Future Legal Leaders are senior members of India’s legal profession who are tipped for further greatness.

All have made themselves indispensable to their clients, who, as you will read, have acknowledged and celebrated their presence and applauded their abilities to adapt to their needs, juggle multiple-jurisdictional matters and deliver the desired solutions, time and again.

Each lawyer on the list has not only demonstrated the qualities of a good professional, but has embodied the well-rounded knowledge and perspective of a leader of the future. IBLJ takes pride in recognising their consistent efforts to recommend and administer the best solutions for clients.

The following analysis highlights the work and achievements of many of this year’s Future Legal Leaders, and hears testimony from some of those who nominated and endorsed them. Sadly, space does not afford us the luxury of covering all of them.

Wise and well informed

Kalpit Khandelwal, a partner at Aekom Legal, New Delhi, has built a reputation for expertise in corporate law that spans more than a decade. Sudhir Goyal, the CFO of manufacturing firm Amber Enterprises in Gurugram, says: “Throughout our collaborations in multiple M&As, technology transfer transactions, various other legal corporate matters … we’ve been consistently impressed by Kalpit’s deep knowledge and unwavering passion in the field of corporate law.”

Daljit Singh, a promoter and executive director at Amber Enterprises, Gurugram, praises Khandelwal’s “proactive mindset and practical approach”, explaining that he “anticipates potential challenges early on and offers solutions that are both strategic and achievable”.

Sakshhe Gupta, a company secretary at Il Jin Electronics in New Delhi, echoes the same confidence in Khandelwal, saying that he “brings both structure and calm to even the most intense deal-making environments”. His “steady, unflappable presence” and tailored, solution-driven advice have made him a “trusted legal and strategic sounding board”.

Vivaik Sharma, a partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas in Mumbai, has built particular expertise in funds and family offices. Puneet Parihar, group general counsel at Al Tasnim Enterprises in Muscat (Oman), says: “I am working with Vivaik in setting up a family office for investing in Asia, particularly India. I have found him to be very responsive with a high degree of domain knowledge and experience.”

Ahlawat & Associates partner Sheena Ogra, based in New Delhi, is an example of grace with clarity under pressure, according to Sara Bertola, the head of HR at courier company Easyship in London. “I appreciate how Sheena handles demanding timelines with composure,” she says. Similarly, Ashutosh Srivastava, the head of AFR strategic sourcing at JK Cement in Thane, says: “What sets Sheena apart is the clarity and practicality of her advice.”

Another legal expert who balances legal finesse with commercial insight is Abhishek Awasthi, a partner at AZB & Partners in New Delhi, who demonstrates sharp legal expertise combined with commercial acumen.

Astha Panjabi, general counsel at real estate company BPTP, Delhi, is impressed by his “sharp legal expertise, commercial acumen and solution-driven approach”, being “pivotal in achieving our strategic objectives”. She notes: “What distinguishes him is his ability to partner with clients – anticipating challenges and delivering cost-efficient yet high-quality, pro-business solutions.”

Pro-business, pro-policy

The corporate legal sector is a demanding field that expects lawyers to be laser-focused on how to grow businesses and mitigate issues. But beyond corporate wins, these future leaders can also bring a rare balance of business focus and public purpose.

Abe Abraham, an employment law partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas in Bengaluru, represents the best of both worlds, combining technical strength with business acumen and civic involvement.

Yvette Gordon, senior counsel at payroll company ADP in New Jersey (US), says: “Abe provides advice not only as to what the law requires but as to the practical implications of any given course of action, enabling me to understand how I can implement the advice in a manner that works for my business.”

Augustus Azariah, a regional director at IT infrastructure provider Kyndryl in Bengaluru, speaks about his public policy efforts: “He is supportive of the community and actively engages with the activities of the Bangalore Chambers of Commerce and Industry and similar trade bodies to simplify new laws as well as influence public policy with inputs from industry.”

Prakash Punjabi, an associate director at LTIMindtree in Bengaluru, commends Abraham’s “excellence in advocacy, innovation and public service”.

Talent and technique

Technical adeptness remains a defining trait in the world of corporate law, and a few names stand out for their ability to blend both talent and technique.

Such a talent at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas’ Ahmedabad branch is partner Ravi Shah, known for his talent in blending technical depth with commercial intuition.

Akhil Sharma, a partner at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors in London, says Shah “has led and advised on numerous high-stakes deals”, citing multiple transactions including Zeochem’s acquisition of Sorbead India and Swambe Chemicals; Zenex Animal Health’s acquisition of Ayurvet; and Swiss Parenterals’ sale of a majority stake to Eris Lifesciences.

Ashish Pathak, the head of legal at PayU in Gurugram, says: “Ravi was able to give practical and solution-oriented advice rather than sticking to the ‘black letter’” when he needed regulatory advice on complex issues that arose from Reserve Bank of India regulations.

Naishadh Shah, a director at Swiss Parenterals in Ahmedabad, praises Shah’s “strategic insight, negotiation acumen and meticulous attention to detail”, as well as his expertise in cross-border M&A and multijurisdictional regulations.

Legal forecasters

While lawyers are often known for a forthright approach, some employ a policy of caution. Bharati Nibjiya, a partner at Dhaval Vussonji & Associates in Mumbai, is known for her meticulousness, strategic rigour and commercial grounding in her work.

Divya Mewani, an assistant vice president of legal at the head office of Alkem Laboratories in Mumbai, says: “Bharati brings structure to ambiguity. She frames issues early and proposes practical paths with trade-offs so decisions can be made quickly.”

Avikshit Moral, a partner at S&R Associates in Mumbai, specialises in real estate and banking transactions. BPTP’s Panjabi notes: “What truly sets him apart is his ability to anticipate regulatory and financing challenges, provide pragmatic, solution-oriented advice and ensure seamless, cost-efficient execution.”

Curious, commercial, committed

Intellectual curiosity runs deep among this year’s future legal leaders, especially those who bridge the gap between law and commercial strategy. Chirag Jain, an associate partner at DSK Legal in New Delhi, demonstrates intellectual curiosity combined with commercial expertise. Saurabh Agrawal, the vice president of generative AI solutions at construction management firm Execo in Mumbai, says Jain “combines deep technical knowledge of corporate and commercial law with a sharp ability to provide solutions that are commercially viable. In my interactions, [Jain] has consistently demonstrated clarity of thought, strong negotiation skills and the rare ability to simplify intricate legal issues for decision makers.”

Similarly, Sreya Basu Mallick, a partner at Fox Mandal & Associates in Kolkata, brings both institutional expertise and personal commitment, according to her peers.

Naresh Karmali, a principal executive director at Indian Railways in Kolkata, says she has “experience of successfully defending high-value arbitrations”.

Deb Chakravarti, a professor and director at CUNY York College in New York, commends her for her “exceptional professionalism”, noting she “would go out of her way to help even with non-legal matters”.

Chakravarti recounts how Sreya provided legal support to a senior non-resident Indian couple residing in the US. “This covers a period of more than 10 years and a major part of this relates to real estate property. Because of the time difference with the US, if necessary, she would not hesitate to arrange meetings, even very late in the evening. She always takes very prompt actions in emergency situations, as well as effectively communicates with our local manager in India.”

Rohit Jolly, a partner at Hammurabi & Solomon Partners in New Delhi, demonstrates both legal and practical strength in real estate litigation. Parveen Mahtani, the chief legal officer of Mahindra Homes in Mumbai, says: “Rohit demonstrates an excellent grasp of both legal and practical aspects. He provides strategies that protect our interests while addressing regulatory nuances.”

Client-first attitude

While client confidence is built over time, these future legal leaders manifest an unshakeable commitment to clients, ensuring permanent and prudent solutions.

Mumbai-based Sanchit Kapoor, an asset management and regulatory services partner at IC RegFin Legal, has established himself as a fund formation specialist whose speed and precision set him apart. Aviral Bhatnagar, a managing partner at pre-seed funding firm AJVC in the western city of Pune, says: “He secured record approval in just 45 days through deep expertise and flawless execution. His speed and precision directly accelerated our fund’s launch, built LP [limited partner] trust and gave us a critical edge with stakeholders and founders.”

Ankit Sharma, managing partner at IndiGo Ventures in New Delhi, describes Kapoor’s role in setting up the company, an investment arm of IndiGo Airlines: “His expertise was instrumental in preparing and submitting our SEBI application, where he demonstrated exceptional command of regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements.” Manoj Agrawal, managing director and CFO of Lok Capital in Gurugram, adds Kapoor is “available at odd hours for negotiation calls with people in different jurisdictions”.

Ganapathy Subramaniam, the founding managing partner of Yali Capital in Bengaluru, recounts that Kapoor’s “speed, precision and strategic insight accelerated our fund’s launch”.

Clients note that Anuj Pethia, a partner in the capital markets practice at JSA in New Delhi, combines exceptional subject knowledge with commercial maturity. Describing Pethia as “a specialist in capital markets”, Abhishekh Kanoi, general counsel and a company secretary at the PDS supply chain company in Mumbai, says: “I had the opportunity to work with him closely during a major fundraising exercise, where his ability to navigate complex regulatory frameworks with clarity and provide business-oriented solutions was invaluable.”

Another outstanding potential leader is Shivali Singh, a partner at JSA in New Delhi, who has built strong client relationships throughout her career. Sanjay Pratap Singh, a general manager at consumer electronics company Havells India in Patna, says: “Shivali has been a much sought-after lawyer due to her dedication and good rapport with her clients.”

Shaily Gupta, a partner at Khaitan & Co in New Delhi, demonstrates technical excellence in tax and corporate advisory. Aditya Prakash, the assistant general manager for taxation at Sopra Steria in New Delhi, says: “Shaily exemplifies legal excellence through technical expertise and business acumen.”

Shantanu Gupta, a private equity partner at Khaitan & Co in the Delhi-NCR region, earns high praise for his comprehensive approach to his work.

Anubha Sital, the vice president of legal at IndiaRF (India Resurgence Fund) in Delhi, says: “Shantanu is a bright and very enthusiastic young lawyer. I greatly appreciate his in-depth involvement in every aspect of the deal.”

Deepti Bajpai, legal counsel at Lenskart in New Delhi, recommends Gupta for his expertise in private equity and M&A: “Shantanu’s ability to provide holistic guidance, including on foreign exchange laws and post-acquisition advisory, makes him a well-rounded counsel.”

Dan Hirschovits, a partner at Paul Hastings in London, describes Gupta as “a smart, collaborative and ambitious future legal leader”.

Vaibhav Bhardwaj, a partner at Khaitan & Co in Noida, is famous for balancing technical precision with genuine care for clients. Ashima Gogia, the director of legal at OakNorth in Gurugram, lauds his “rare combination of deep technical expertise, strategic foresight and genuine empathy”, concluding: “I have no doubt that Vaibhav represents the next generation of legal leaders – innovative, principled and committed to advancing both the profession and the clients he serves.”

Aditya Bhattacharya, a partner at King Stubb & Kasiva in New Delhi, has built long-term strategic relationships. Aslam Khan, the chief legal officer of Hamdard Food in New Delhi, says: “Aditya has been Hamdard Food’s strategic litigation adviser for more than a decade. He is a lawyer whose number our management keeps on speed dial.”

Rajeev Rambhatla, a partner at Luthra and Luthra in Hyderabad, combines litigation excellence with a client-first mindset. Abhiram Dhankar, a senior manager of legal at property firm Casagrand Hyderwise in Hyderabad, calls him “one of the finest litigation and real estate lawyers I have come across in my career”.

Pardeep Gupta, the head and vice president of legal and compliance of DBS Tech in Hyderabad, notes Rambhatla’s broad expertise: “I have been working with Rajeev for the past six years, and he’s been my go-to lawyer. His solutions are practical and implementable.”

Gunjan Chhabra, a partner at MRP Advisory in New Delhi, is known to blend expertise with empathy. James Howells, a King’s Counsel at Atkin Chambers in London, calls her “a future leader in every sense”.

Leading from the front

This year’s crop of future legal leaders has revealed a fine set of lawyers lauded for their ability to step into demanding roles with confidence, showing real leadership potential.

Abhishek Gupta, a partner at MZM Legal in Mumbai, handles high-stakes matters with composure. Dhruv Anand, the director and CEO of Chromewell Engineering in Pune, says: “Abhishek brings a calm presence even when the matters are tense and high-stakes, particularly in fraud and financial crime matters.”

Jenny Carmichael, the vice president of compliance of data security firm Entrust in Minnesota (US), praises Gupta’s “methodical and evidence-driven approach”, and his ability to contextualise Indian regulatory processes.

Khyati Dalal, a corporate lawyer at Nishith Desai Associates in Dubai, leads in private equity and M&A with strong structuring capabilities. Paritosh Bhandari, a manager of strategic partnerships at InCorp Advisory in Mumbai, says she “represents leading global private equity and venture capital funds on mid to large-cap investments into India”, and has “implemented complex, innovative structures” on structured debt investments.

Shouryendu Ray, a partner at Nora Chambers in New Delhi, excels in both dispute resolution and governance advisory. Jaijit Bhattacharya, president of the Centre for Digital Economy Policy Research in New Delhi, recalls his ability to win a case against a “large corporate behemoth” on a complex regulatory matter through sheer tenacity over more than four years.

Simon Prior, the chief people officer of Brainlabs Digital in London, highlights Jain’s “ability to quickly grasp the commercial realities of our business”, while Anubhav Sonthalia, the CEO of Dentsu CXM India and Merkle Sokrati India in Pune, affirms that Jain “combines exceptional legal expertise with a calm, pragmatic approach”.

Jitesh Shahani, a partner at S&R Associates in Mumbai, played a pivotal role in complex capital-raising work. Siddharth Jhawar, the head of corporate finance at Suzlon Energy in Pune, says: “Jitesh and his team played a pivotal role in supporting us through various financial aspects of our capital-raising transactions. Their approach was both collaborative and insightful.”

Age, agility, resourcefulness

Akshayy Nanda, a partner at Saraf and Partners in New Delhi, leads in competition law and data privacy. Omprakash R, the manager of legal at Adani Power in Bengaluru, notes that with “more than 15 years of experience and still under 40”, Nanda has “advised leading domestic and global clients on complex antitrust matters”. He adds: “His deep domain expertise and ability to craft precedent-setting legal strategies position him as a standout leader in India’s evolving legal landscape.”

Mrinal Sharma at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co in New Delhi, delivers both technical and service excellence in infrastructure work. Medhanshu Mishra, the head of legal at Noida International Airport in Gurugram, describes Sharma as “extremely responsive and agile to client needs and expectations”. Tobias Baer, the head of international business operations at Zurich Airport, praises his “outstandingly high level of quality, paired with short return and processing times”.

Shiladitya Banerjee, a partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co (SAM) in Kolkata, is a meticulous and commercially aware M&A lawyer. Prateek Diwan, the executive director of Arpwood Capital in Mumbai, says Banerjee “brings an analytical bent, rigour and thoughtfulness in M&A negotiations. The energy that is brought to the table with a deep understanding of the key issues leads to very constructive solution-making with the counterparty.”

Prashant Kothari, the CEO of CleanEdge Resources India in Mumbai, calls Banerjee “one of the star performers at SAM”, praising his “remarkable ability to grasp both the client’s and the counterparty’s viewpoints”.

Shruti Kinra, a partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co in New Delhi, leads on large cross-border deals, with expertise in Korean investment. Nicholas Stasevich, a shareholder and the chair of international practice at US law firm Butzel Long in Michigan, recalls: “She led her team, ran the clock seven days a week to ensure a successful result, not only for her client but for all the parties in the transaction.”

Kyung Yoon Lee, a partner at Kim & Chang in Seoul, says: “As a Korean M&A lawyer assisting my client investing into India, I need to have trustworthy Indian counsel, and Shruti and her team at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas have been helping us and our mutual client a lot in a timely manner as needs arise, from general corporate law and FDI to antitrust issues.”

He adds: “She is leading a Korean desk for her law firm and has a deep understanding of the Korean client as well.”

Gunjan Gupta, a partner at Singhania & Partners in New Delhi, has been commended by multiple international clients. David Lawson, general counsel at ABS Group of Companies in Texas (US), notes: “Ravi [Singhania], Dipak Rao and Gunjan Gupta have all been invaluable to our company’s operations in India.” Wen Da Tan, associate counsel at the American Bureau of Shipping in Singapore, says Gupta is “our go-to counsel for Indian matters”.

Kate Erman, the head of legal for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Bravura Solutions in London, says: “Gunjan brings exceptional rigour and precision to every matter she handles. She exemplifies the qualities of a future legal leader and handles demanding matters with composure, clarity and authority well beyond her years of experience.”

Juhi Mathur, a partner at Trilegal in Mumbai, demonstrates strong litigation skills and leadership growth. Sayak Chandra, lead-corporate, legal at Aditya Birla Capital in Mumbai, says: “Juhi is a top-notch litigation attorney. I have had the pleasure of observing her growth over the past five to six years, from her initial days as an associate to that of being a partner today at Trilegal.”

Kosha Thaker, a partner at Trilegal in Mumbai, earns praise from both startups and corporates. Vikram Gupta, the CEO of Awiros in Gurugram, recounts that Thaker “provided exceptional support during our AI startup’s fundraising rounds”, praising her for understanding “both technical and commercial aspects of our business” and for bridging “founder-VC differences with empathy and commercial acumen”.

Nikitesh Puro, a manager of strategic partnerships at InCorp Advisory in Mumbai, says: “What impressed us most was her ability to be bold, creative and action-oriented.”

Varuna Bhanrale, a partner at Trilegal in New Delhi, demonstrates consistency and responsiveness. Hrishikesh Panse, the head of litigation and shared services at IDFC FIRST Bank in Mumbai, says: “What really stands out for us is her responsiveness, diligence and attention to detail.” Neha Chauhan, the vice president of finance at Ketto Online Ventures in Mumbai, echoes this sentiment, praising her “consistent and timely support”.

Kanisha Vora, a partner at Veritas Legal in Mumbai, balances meticulous drafting with commercial understanding. Leti Blagoeva, the CEO of Dyavol Spirits in Sofia (Bulgaria), says Vora is “highly detail-oriented with a strong grasp of commercial goals”, praising how she “thinks ahead in order to plan even for fringe scenarios, ensuring a solid contractual basis that will minimise the potential for conflict”.

Adam Mimeles, general counsel at TransPerfect in New York, cites her “innovative thinking, strategic approach, rapid response and thoroughness in handling complex matters”.

Yashvardhan Rana at YVR Law Offices in New Delhi, demonstrates proactive and strategically minded IP expertise. Ayushi Agrawal, a brand strategist at NoisyLion.com in Noida, says: “Yashvardhan’s work goes beyond advisory – he actively monitors the market for threats to our intellectual property and swiftly takes action when necessary.”

Mohanjit Singh, the director of Tewelding Engineers in Ghaziabad, says Rana’s “ability to handle intricate IP matters has enabled our company to resolve conflicts efficiently and with minimal business disruption”.